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Wheeling Searches For Katz’s Replacement On Chicago Executive Airport Board


Neal Katz. LinkedIn photo.

A new village of Wheeling representative on the Chicago Executive Airport Board of Directors is expected to be announced at the August Wheeling Village Board meeting, according to Village President Pat Horcher.

Members of the board are appointed by Horcher and Prospect Heights Mayor Nick Helmer, as the two municipalities co-own the airport.

Neal Katz, who joined the board in 2013, decided not to begin a third three-year term as a director when his term expired May 31. Katz told the Journal & Topics Wednesday (July 10) that, while he loved his time on the board, he decided to focus on opening a new business instead. In addition to the new business, he owns Rand Manufacturing in Lakemoor.

Reflecting on his time with the board, Katz said he offered as much input as possible on major projects at the airport, including the multi-year airport Master Plan study.

“It has been one of the best times of my life, and I would like to thank my wife for putting up with it,” Katz remarked of his experience.

Horcher said that as of July 10, two candidates had submitted applications for the open position: Stacey Greenhill, a pilot and retired chemist; and Stephan Stecker, who is retired from the U.S. military and has a career with U.S. Customs.

Wheeling resident and Chicago Executive Airport Noise Committee member Steve Neff, who serves on the Chicago Executive Airport Noise Committee, has also expressed interest in the position. He was also under consideration for the vacancy left when David Kolssak left the board last year.

Kolssak was eventually replaced by Vince Donohue, a first officer with Spirit Airlines and founder of Vortex UAS, a company that trains pilots to fly unmanned aircraft systems.

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